Understanding Your Child’s Renaissance Star Test Scores & Percentiles

A List of Renaissance STAR Tests Available for Practice in 2024

• STAR Math 3th & 4th Grade
• STAR Math 5th & 6th Grade
• STAR Reading 3th & 4th Grade
• STAR Reading 5th & 6th Grade
• STAR Early Literacy

Many assessments are given to children at school to measure their abilities and learning needs. 

For parents, it can mean understanding the test results and what they mean for their child. 

One common assessment for children is the Renaissance Star Test (STAR), used for children from pre-K through to the ninth grade. 

This article offers details on the STAR assessment, including what it involves and tips on how to improve scores. 

The main focus of this article is on the STAR scores and how parents can understand them and apply them to their child’s learning. 

What Is the STAR Assessment?

The STAR assessment is a collection of tests carried out on children aged four to 9 years old, commonly also known as the foundation educational years. 

Students are tested in school on their reading, literacy, mathematics and Spanish skills annually to see how they have progressed throughout the year. 

The tests are taken on individual electronic devices, each task taking about twenty minutes to complete. The questions are all multiple-choice. 

The STAR assessment scores are then used to give one overall picture of the child’s development and learning needs. Teachers and parents can then use the scores to help the student succeed. 

Some schools use the STAR reading and math scores as part of the criteria to assess gifted students, though this is not why the Renaissance STAR charts were created. 

How Are STAR Assessment Scores Shown?

When your child has completed the test, you will receive a STAR Family Report, which gives their score and puts their performance and progress into context. 

These are the main points to look at and understand:

Scaled Score  

The scaled score can be found at the top of the report under 'overall score'. It is a great way to highlight your child’s score over time and across the years. 

This score is calculated based on the difficulty of the questions and the amount of correct answers given.

It would be important to note here that the STAR assessments are adaptive, meaning the difficulty of the questions on the test depends on how many the student answers correctly. 

If a child gets one question correct, the next question will be slightly harder. 

Benchmark Categories

Each school district or county has a benchmark score they expect students to reach to be regarded as 'on track' with their peers. 

There will be a colored bar on the report titled with the state’s grade score level. 

On the bar, your child’s score will be added to it so you can check if they have reached the benchmark score. 

The bar’s color normally consists of red for standards not met, yellow for standards almost met, blue for standards met, and green for standards exceeded. 

Percentile Rank

The percentile rank will most likely be titled 'PR' on the report and will give a number between 0 and 99. 

This number compares your child with other children nationwide who have the same score.

For example, if the PR is 57, it means 57% of the nation’s children in their grade scored the same as them. 

This is a great way to see how your child is faring against their peers. 

If you feel their overall score is low, the percentile rank may make you realize their score is actually a common score. 

Grade Equivalent

This STAR assessment score is contextualized with what level or grade your child is scoring at. 

If they are in grade one, but their grade equivalent is GE 2.4, it means they performed as well as a student in the fourth month of grade two.  

This may mean they have the skills of a grade two student when compared nationally. 

This score can be found at the top of the report, within the summary of the overall score. 

Domain Scores

The domain scores can be found at the bottom of the report. They are the predicted score of your child’s mastery in each topic for their grade. 

For example, if they are in third grade and score 65%, it is estimated they will answer 65% of those third-grade questions. 

Each topic will have a score next to it, in addition to a color that signifies what the student achieved. 

Red means beginning, yellow means developing, and green color means they are secure in that score. 

The scores are as follows:

• Beginning means 0% to 59% mastery
• Developing means 60% to 79% mastery
• Secure means 80% to 100% mastery

What Are the Different STAR Test Scores Percentiles?

There is a range of different STAR testing scores that parents refer to that will show them how their child is progressing. 

Below is a STAR reading test score chart and a STAR math test score chart to show the different ranges and grades for reading and math.

STAR Reading Scores Chart (2024)

STAR Math Test Score Chart (2024)

As you can see, the math score ranges are more complex as they overlap. The important thing to remember is that these scores are just one factor to take note of.

Parents also need to look at how their child is doing individually.

What If You’re Unhappy With Your STAR Test Scores?

When you receive your child’s STAR results, you may be disappointed with their score. This could be due to them not scoring in the range of their grade or that you feel they are not progressing as they should be.

Firstly, it is important to remember that your child cannot really fail the STAR test.

It is an adaptive test, so the questions change to suit their ability, and their score should be seen as a mark of their progress. 

The STAR test is generally only taken once every text cycle, and they rarely offer retakes. 

However, there are some tips parents can follow to help their child make the most out of the test. 

Familiarise With the Test Using Practice Tests

Practice tests are available that your child can go through at home.

This will help them become accustomed to the format and type of questions asked, which will be an advantage when doing the actual test. 

It will also show areas where your child may need extra revision. 

Create a Study Schedule Before the Exam

You can create a fun and interactive study schedule for your child ahead of the exam.

This way, you can ensure all areas are revised over time and that studying is not rushed just before the test. 

Read More and Play Word and Math Games

By playing games to help with their literacy and math, the children will not feel like they are studying. 

Matching numbers, board games with dice, and word association games are all good ways of revising those skills. 

Ease Your Child’s Nerves by Talking About the Test Positively

Exams are nerve-racking at any age, but particularly for children. 

Giving them positive thoughts about the test will encourage them to be calm and focused when doing the test. 

As parents, you can also always discuss any concerns with the teacher before the test. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts 

The Renaissance Star Test is a proven way of assessing school children’s progression from one year to the next. 

It is important to try and focus on their personal growth when looking at the score ranges and grades. 

If you are worried about the Star tests, you can discuss concerns with their school and also follow the tips.